Forest and Timber Sector in Scotland

 

Scotland's Forest and Timber Industries employ around 40,000 people and are worth in excess of £1.7bn to the economy, possessing significant growth potential.
Incorporating the growing of tree seedlings within nurseries to the planting, managing and harvesting of forests, the sector provides an economic foundation for many rural communities.  Other sub-sectors include the value-added downstream activities of sawmilling, pulp and paper production, panel and board manufacturing, and the development and production of higher value goods such as engineered wood products.

Scotland's Forest and Timber Industries employ around 40,000 people and are worth in excess of £1.7bn to the economy, possessing significant growth potential. 

Incorporating the growing of tree seedlings within nurseries to the planting, managing and harvesting of forests, the sector provides an economic foundation for many rural communities.  Other sub-sectors include the value-added downstream activities of sawmilling, pulp and paper production, panel and board manufacturing, and the development and production of higher value goods such as engineered wood products. Industries also play an important but often unrecognised role in a number of supply chains and other sectors:

•  Providing timber as a raw material to be used in sustainable Construction.
•  Providing a clean and renewable Energy source for Biomass (woodfuel).
•  Acting as a significant leisure and Tourism destination for walking, mountain biking, riding etc.
•  Opportunities also exist with Chemical Sciences and Textiles around utililisation of cellulose.

It is anticipated that Scotland's forestry industry will continue to grow by 30% during the next decade. It is SSFT's aim to encourage innovation in the use of timber and timber products from Scotland.  We will continue to bring businesses together with research, processors and consumer bodies to explore what is technically possible, and to answer the needs of consumers and end-users.